Enhanced tolerance to heat stress in transgenic plants expressing the GASA4 gene.

We conducted a genetic yeast screen to identify Thermo-tolerance genes (TTOs) in maize kernel cDNA library. During the screening, we identified a maize clone (TTO6) that seemed to confer elevated heat tolerance in comparison to control cells. TTO6 cDNA (GenBank accession no. AY103785) encodes an 11-kDa protein which is 69% similarity to the Arabidopsis GASA4 gene. To further examine heat tolerance in Arabidopsis, we functionally characterized the GASA4 gene and found that heat induced GASA4 expression. Constitutive expression of GASA4 in Arabidopsis led to elevated heat tolerance in transgenic lines. Interestingly, endoplasmic reticulum chaperone expression analysis suggests that GASA4 influences BiP gene expression during heat stress.     

Identification of secondary structure elements in intermediate-resolution density maps

An increasing number of structural studies of large macromolecular complexes, both in X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, have resulted in intermediate-resolution (5-10 A) density maps. Despite being limited in resolution, significant structural and functional information may be extractable from these maps. To aid in the analysis and annotation of these complexes, we have developed SSEhunter, a tool for the quantitative detection of alpha helices and beta sheets. Based on density skeletonization, local geometry calculations, and a template-based search, SSEhunter has been tested and validated on a variety of simulated and authentic subnanometer-resolution density maps. The result is a robust, user-friendly approach that allows users to quickly visualize, assess, and annotate intermediate-resolution density maps. Beyond secondary structure element identification, the skeletonization algorithm in SSEhunter provides secondary structure topology, which is potentially useful in leading to structural models of individual molecular components directly from the density.     

Layer-by-layer hydroxymethyl ferrocene modified sensor for one-step flow/stop-flow injection amperometric immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein

A rapid one-step flow/stop-flow injection amperometric immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) using a novel home-produced electrochemical sensor was proposed. The sensor was prepared using layer-by-layer adsorption of positively charged poly(allylamine) (PAA) and negatively charged hydroxymethyl ferrocene on a screen-printed electrode (SPE). The electrochemistry of the immobilized ferrocene moieties showed a surface-controlled electrode process. Based on an electrochemical enzyme-linked immunoassay with the immobilized ferrocene moieties as an electron transfer mediator between the electrode and the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled anti-AFP antibody, a calibration curve with two linear ranges from 5 to 20 and 20 to 150 ng ml-1 and a detection limit of 2 ng ml-1 for AFP determination was obtained under the optimized conditions of 0.891 ml min-1 flow rate, 20 microl injection volume and +25 mV applied potential. The sensor showed good repeatability and reproducibility and retained more than 95% of its original signal after 15 days of storage. The proposed method eliminated the need for washing and addition of any substrate or mediator. The complete assay could be handled in less than 25 min with a one-step injection of a 40 microl sample solution. The proposed method would be valuable for the diagnosis and monitoring of carcinoma and its metastasis.     

A simple fluorescent method for detecting mismatched DNAs using a MutS-fluorophore conjugate

A fluorescent method was developed for the detection of unpaired and mismatched DNAs using a MutS-fluorophore conjugate. The fluorophore, 2-(4'-(iodoacetoamido)anilino) naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (IAANS), was site-specifically attached to the 469 position of Thermus aquaticus (Taq.) MutS mutant (C42A/T469C). The fluorophore labeled residue located at the dimer interface of the protein undergoes a drastic conformational change upon binding with mismatched DNA. The close proximity of the two identical fluorescent molecules presumably causes the self-quenching of the fluorophore, since fluorescence emission of the biosensor decreases with increasing concentrations of mismatched DNA. The order of binding affinity for each unpaired and mismatched DNA obtained by this method was DeltaT (Kd=52 nM)>GT (62 nM)>DeltaC (130 nM)>CT (160 nM)>DeltaG (170 nM)>DeltaA (250 nM)>CC (720 nM)>AT (950 nM). This order is comparable to the previous results of the gel mobility shift assay. Thus, this method can be a simple, useful tool for elucidating the mechanism of DNA mismatch repair as well as a novel probe for detecting of genetic mutation.     

Factors affecting foaming behavior in cellulase fermentation by Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30

Coupling fermentation with in situ foam fractionation may be beneficial to cellulase production in optimizing oligomer inducer generation, minimizing catabolite repression and reducing cellulase degradation by proteases. In this study, the potential factors that may affect the foaming behavior of broth from Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 fermentation were examined. These factors included solid (both cell and cellulose) concentrations, cellulase activity and extracellular protein concentration. The loss of cellulase activity caused by the foaming process was minimal. The foamate generation was lower in the presence of higher solids (cell and/or cellulose) concentrations. Cellulase appeared to promote the broth foaming ability but its enrichment ratio was not high (lower than 1.2). The enrichment ratios for the individual component enzymes (beta-glucosidase, endo- and exo-glucanases) were found to be similarly low. None of the cellulase components were likely the primary foaming factors. The foam also carried out cells and cellulose solids. The hydrophobicity of cell surface, studied at various fermentation stages and in both media with and without cellulose, increased as the fermentation approached the stationary phase and then decreased gradually after entering the stationary phase.     

Anti-inflammatory property of the urinary metabolites of nobiletin in mouse

Nobiletin, a major component of polymethoxyflavones in citrus fruits, has a broad spectrum of health beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities. The metabolite identification of nobiletin in mouse urine has concluded that it undergoes mono-demethylation (3'- and 4'-demethylnobiletin) and di-demethylation (3',4'-didemethylnobiletin) metabolic pathway. Biological screening of nobiletin and its metabolites has revealed that the metabolites possess more potent anti-inflammatory activity than their parent compound. Therefore, this letter reports the identification of nobiletin metabolites and their anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression in RAW264.7 macrophage.     

Alpha-substituted N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-N'-[4-(methylsulfonylamino)benzyl]thiourea analogues as potent and stereospecific TRPV1 antagonists

A series of alpha-substituted N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-N'-[4-(methylsulfonylamino)benzyl]thiourea analogues have been investigated as TRPV1 receptor antagonists. alpha-Methyl substituted analogues showed potent and stereospecific antagonism to the action of capsaicin on rat TRPV1 heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In particular, compounds 14 and 18, which possess the R-configuration, exhibited excellent potencies (respectively, K(i)=41 and 39.2 nM and K(i(ant))=4.5 and 37 nM).     

牛磺酸对乳鼠心肌细胞内钙浓度的影响

研究低氧、复氧对乳鼠心肌细胞内钙离子浓度的影响,以及牛磺酸在模拟心肌缺血/再灌注(I/R)过程中对细胞内钙的调节作用。采用SD大鼠乳鼠进行心肌细胞培养,建立模拟I/R模型。以Fluo-4/AM荧光指示剂负载,应用激光共聚焦显微镜技术(confocal laser scanning microscope,CLSM)检测心肌细胞钙离子浓度的变化。对照组心肌细胞内钙离子荧光强度(23.71±2.37U)较低;低氧180 min后复氧即刻,钙离子荧光强度开始增加(57.52±8.31U),复氧180 min后钙离子荧光强度(71.13±4.74U)显著增高(P<0.01vs对照组)。而牛磺酸组细胞内钙离子荧光强度较模拟I/R组显著降低[(42.42±4.17U)vs(71.13±4.74U),P<0.01]。心肌细胞缺血/缺氧导致Ca2+超载;模拟I/R Ca2+超载加剧,而牛磺酸有明显减轻心肌细胞模拟I/R时Ca2+超载的作用。     

采用SM 22启动子调节荧光蛋白的策略分选和鉴定人前列腺平滑肌细胞与成纤维细胞

 平滑肌细胞的数量、表型以及在间质细胞中所占的比例在前列腺间质增生的发生和发展中占有重要的地位.获得纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞,研究它们基因表达的差异,有助于进一步揭示前列腺增生的分子病因学.构建不同长度的 SM 22启动子,测定荧光素酶活性.采用了基于启动子特异性激活红绿色荧光蛋白表达结合流式细胞分选的策略,体外分离纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞.启动子活性实验结果表明,1 396 bp的人SM22启动子具有平滑肌细胞特异性和较高的相对活性.构建了红绿荧光蛋白的表达载体pDual-color,在此载体中,RFP的表达受1 396bp的SM22启动子调控,GFP的组成型表达受CMV启动子控制.用流式细胞仪分选GFP+/RFP+和GFP+/RFP-细胞,提取总RNA,进行实时定量RT-PCR.结果显示,在分选获得的GFP+/RFP+细胞比GFP+/RFP-细胞的SM22和SMMHC表达水平高10倍以上.提示,基于启动子特异性可以在体外分离纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞.